30 November 2020 Issue 10 Deputy Minister Alvin Botes delivered a key note address on the occasion of DIRCO’s International Men’s Day. The Webinar was part of the build-up programme activities towards beginning of the 16 Days of Activism for no Violence against Women and Children. The event was convened under the theme: #EachforEqual in line with This year marks 22 years since South Africa started the International Men’s Day 2020 theme to commemorate 16 Days of Activism for No which underscores a point that gender Violence against Women and Children. It is a equality is not only a women’s issue. It also worldwide campaign that was launched at the covered different viewpoints such as inaugural Centre for Women's Global Leadership parenting, positive male role models, Institute in 1991 in honour of the role of the families and healthy life choices for men. Mirabal sisters who were assassinated on 25 November 1960 under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. In 1999 the Deputy Minister Ms Candith Mashego- United Nations General Assembly designated the Dlamini led a Webinar on the importance of 25th November as the International Day for no Cultural Diplomacy in SADC Integration. The efforts to curb this scourge. The 16 Days of Violence against Women. The campaign starts on webinar brought together highly esteemed Activism for No Violence against Women and 25 November and runs until 10 December, which is people who have in one form or another Children campaign was commemorated under International Human Rights Day. been engaged in diplomacy. The day the theme: “Economic Justice for a Non-Violent emphasised on the importance of culture and Non-Sexist South Africa”. and how it can be a catalyst for economic development and regional integration to The annual global campaign focuses on increasing achieve the objectives as set out for the In her closing remarks on the occasion of the awareness of the negative impact of violence Regional Indicative Strategic Development Virtual Meeting on “Violence and Harassment in against women and girls; in particular. Domestic Plan (2020-2030). The SADC Vision 2050 the World of Work”, Minister of International violence has escalated during the lockdown which visualises a peaceful, inclusive, competitive, Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, was instituted in response to the COVID-19 middle to high income industrialised region, called for us to make DIRCO safe for everyone Pandemic. The world is experiencing an where all citizens enjoy sustainable socio- to grow and showcase their talent without any unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic, with economic well-being, justice and freedom. fear of being violated or harassed. “Together, let an alarming increase in multiple forms of violence us take action to support the fight against against women and girls, especially physical, Gender-Based Violence and Femicide and make psychological, sexual and economic forms of In Mission Accomplished we feature everyday a Day of Activism for no Violence domestic violence fueled by household economic Ambassador Ntsiki Mashimbye who visited against Women and Children. Together we can and food insecurity, as well as confined living the Western Amazon Region, Brazil. build a non-violent South Africa!” conditions due to lockdown and social isolation Turn the page to #AboutMe to read about measures. The pandemic has underlined and Mr Bobby Moroe’s compelling passion for May you enjoy all that we have to offer in this exacerbated the continued deprivation and the art and craft of diplomacy. month’s edition. I am grateful for the inequality faced by women and girls across the opportunity to be guest editor for this issue. world. In addition, South African cabinet approved a National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based In this month’s edition, you will find a number of Violence and Femicide to guide our national highlighted events that took place in November 2020. MM 1 Violence and Harassment in the World of 30 4 Work South Africa to the United Nations, No Woman Is Immune From GBVF: Let Us 34 during the United Nations Security 8 Step Up The Fight Council meeting on the Political and Humanitarian Situation in Syria The importance of Cultural Diplomacy in 38 Top ten travel tips 12 SADC Integration Visit to South Africa by Mr Frank Riester, the 40 Globe at a glmpse 16 Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of France 22 Ambassador Ntsiki Mashimbye visit to Western Amazon Region, Brazil 26 Ending Gender Based Violence in the Workplace 3 3 WOMANDLA Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor on the occasion of the Virtual Meeting on “Violence and Harassment in the World of Work” On 30 November 2020, Minister Naledi Pandor led expanding where violence can take place in both the a dialogue on violence in and harassment in the formal and informal economies. workplace. The Webinar focused chiefly on gender- based violence (GBV) and abuse of the vulnerable The pandemic has exacerbated harmful gender in the world of work. Violence and harassment in stereotypes which coupled with financial challenges the world of work deprives employees of their and unemployment have been contributory factors to dignity and is a gross violation of human rights. It increased levels of gender-based violence. remains a widespread phenomenon in the public as well as in the private sector. One of the key In the context of many working from home and using high-level actions that President Ramaphosa ICT, this has also increased the potential of cyber identified in his AU Chairship Gender Agenda was bullying. In the context of our continent wherein the need to combat GBV as a barrier to women constitute the majority of the informal sector, development and gender equality. it has had a significant impact on livelihoods. We have read, heard and seen the increasing violence Panel members included: targeted at women in their homes during a time • Ms. Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UN Women; when homes were supposed to be places of safety • Ms. Tamara Mathebula, Chairperson of the under lockdown. This led to President Ramaphosa Commission on Gender Equality recognising the devastating increase in violence and • Ms. Mary Makgaba, Chief Executive Officer of femicide perpetuated against women and children People Opposing Women Abuse; and declaring it a national pandemic that is ravaging • Dr. Joni Musabanyana, Director at the the South African society. International Labour Organisation Southern African Multi-Country Office The Workplace is not immune from gender-based • Ms. Lindelwe Dube, DIRCO Women’s Forum violence and harassment. The Report on the Status of • Mr. Ndumiso Mngadi, DIRCO Men for Change Women in South Africa released by the International • Ms. Yoliswa Makhasi, Director-General, Women’s Forum - South Africa (2011) notes that Department of Public Service and women leave their jobs as a result of violence and Administration, (DPSA) on behalf of Mr Senzo harassment in the workplace or as a result of being Mchunu, Minister of DPSA abused by their partners. Sometimes they are forced to leave certain environments to escape abuse or run away from an abusive relationship or an abusive This year South Africa observes the 16 Days of working environment. Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign under the theme: “Economic This year the global community celebrates the 25th Justice for a Non-Violent and Non-Sexist South Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform Africa”. This theme signals our belief that women’s for Action which is a blueprint for achieving gender economic empowerment is integral to the equality and women’s empowerment. The Beijing achievement of gender equality and the Declaration states that: eradication of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F). “The experience of sexual harassment is an affront to a worker’s dignity and prevents women from making This year, 16 Days of activism for no Violence a contribution commensurate with their abilities”, said against Women and Children took place alongside Minister. “To address this, the Declaration calls on the global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. “Governments, employers, trade unions, community The outbreak of COVID-19 has ushered in an and youth organisations and non-governmental unprecedented health, social and economic crisis, organisations to take action, as appropriate, to that continues to have a profound impact on the develop programmes and procedures to eliminate lives of all in Africa, and very specific impacts on sexual harassment and other forms of violence women. It has simultaneously ushered in new against women in all educational institutions, challenges in the world of work. In the context of workplaces and elsewhere.” lockdowns, it has reshaped where work happens 5 WOMANDLA It is also important to note that 16 Days of Activism this year takes place under the umbrella of the UN global campaign of Generation Equality. This provides an opportune time for South Africa to vigorously drive ratification and implementation of the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 190 (ILO C190) and Recommendation No. 206. This Convention recognises the right of everyone to a world free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence. It recommends that national governments adopt laws, regulations and policies to ensure equality and non-discrimination in the work place including workplace policies on violence and harassment. It also includes how intimate-partner violence affects women’s employment and employability, productivity, health and safety. On 20 August 2020 the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Thulas Nxesi,, published the Draft Code of Good Practice on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work. This draft is aimed at giving effect to the ILO 190, the process of finalising this code is currently underway.